Lee Johnson insists Hibs will only benefit from City Group contacts as he shuts down 'lose our identity' fear

Lee Johnson admits he wouldn't rule out Hibs becoming part of a multi-club structure in their hunt for success - but never at the expense of their identity.

The Easter Road boss says he’ll continue to plug into his links with powerhouse that is the City Football Group to strengthen the options at his disposal in Leith. But beyond that he reckons there’s scope for Hibs to establish proper links with clubs outside Scotland - in a similar way to Brighton and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.

Johnson has close ties to the Manchester-based City Group conglomerate - particularly with Brian Marwood, the group’s Managing Director of Global Football - and used it to sign Mykola Kukharevych on loan from French side Troyes last year. He met with City Group chiefs in April to discuss potential deals ahead of the summer window opening this month.

It’s a contact he believes can be hugely beneficial for the Hibs - but never would he allow a situation to develop where the club’s character began to be diluted. The former Bristol City and Sunderland boss said: “The City Group don't do anyone any favours, per se. There's a lot of trust that goes into this stuff.

"The club has obviously got to be right but the manager is also picking the team and that becomes an important factor in their decision. It's happening everywhere; this multi-team structure that a lot of these groups and clubs and American investors are going for at the moment.

“I wouldn't even rule out Hibs doing it at some point in the future. What you have to do is make sure your own house is absolutely in order and running clean and lean and really well.

“It gives younger players a vehicle to be able to step up a level. You look at Brighton who have done extremely well